The judgment, delivered by Justice Mohammed Umar, granted the reliefs sought by Nwole in a suit against the NDC, INEC and Hon. Uchechukwu Onyeagucha.
According to the judgment obtained by Arise News, the court directed the NDC to forward Nwole’s name to INEC without delay, having emerged from the party’s primary election, which was monitored by the electoral commission.
The court held that the primary election was conducted in accordance with Sections 84(1) and (2), as well as Section 86 of the Electoral Act 2026.
Justice Umar also ordered INEC to immediately accept, enlist and publish Nwole’s name on the final list of candidates for the Imo East Senatorial District election.
In addition, the court issued a perpetual injunction restraining the NDC from submitting or nominating any other person as its candidate for the senatorial seat.
The electoral commission was equally restrained from accepting, listing or publishing the name of any other person purportedly nominated by the NDC through a primary election that was neither conducted nor monitored by INEC.
The order also covers any purported consensus candidate whose nomination contravenes Sections 87(1) and (3) of the Electoral Act 2026.
In its findings, the court held that the NDC had conducted primary elections for aspirants seeking its ticket for the Imo East Senatorial District, with the exercise monitored by INEC.
It further ruled that having conducted the primaries, the party could not subsequently nominate a consensus candidate for the same position.
The court also found that Nwole had satisfied all statutory requirements to participate in the direct primary election and emerge as the party’s candidate.
The judgment effectively affirms Nwole’s claim to the NDC senatorial ticket and directs both the party and INEC to take the necessary steps to recognise him as its candidate for the 2027 general election.
